CHAPTER4
LEVI
Fay, our manager, sent out a group message to the boys and me to meet her at this studio. It seemed familiar when I arrived, but I wasn’t sure why. Not until I walked through the grand doors and came face-to-face withthem.
Our rivals. The people we strive to beat.
I glance at my bandmates as we sit around a conference table, away from the other band that lingers in the hallway, just as confused as us.
“But they’re the people we’re trying to beat. This doesn’t make sense.” Axel throws his arms up in anger as Fay stands before us, catching us up on everything we need to know.
Everyone knows about the famous band Times Three. If you don’t, you’ve been living under a rock for a long-ass time. They’re the band that every other musician wants to destroy. People have tried in the past, but they’ve always failed. A sister and two brothers, frankly, rule the world.
Just hearing the name Times Three makes my blood boil. And to make matters worse, our studio burned down. I haven’t seen what’s left of the studio, but from what Fay’s told us, it’s not good. But I’m quite positive I don’t want to see the damage—losing shit hurts. All our guitars, drums, mics—everything was in there. Now, we have to start all over again.
I don’t know how or why this happened, but I didn’t think the outcome would land ushere. I’m just relieved no one was hurt.
When Fay broke the horrible news that this would be our new temporary studio for months, I sat there in utter disbelief and silence. Being surrounded by our rivals, the group that pushes us to stay later in the studio so we can beat them on the charts …
Someone kill me now.
“We have nowhere else to go,” Fay says, frustrated, as she takes in our glum faces. “In Times Three’s building, there are three floors. The top floor is their studio. We’ll take the second floor until we figure out what to do next. The bottom is the lounge, which you’ll have to share. You’re grown men, so I expect you to behave.”
“Yes, we might be grown men, Fay. But we’re in LA,” Rowan deadpans. “There must be somewhere else we can go. I don’t see this ending well.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Every studio is booked and taken. Trust me, I’ve looked. It will take months for the studio to be rebuilt—not to mention, the investigation the fire department is making to determine the cause of the fire. We have no choice but to take their offer.” She points a finger in our direction. “This is costing the team a lot of money. Don’t mess this up.”
This is going to cost me my sanity.
“There are rules.” Fay’s determined eyes glance at each of us before settling on me. “Like not going into each other’s studios. The walls are soundproof, so no music can be stolen or copied. No sabotaging one another. Don’t even talk to each other. You got it?”
Axel is the first to nod his head. Next is Rowan. Raising a brow, I shrug.
I don’t have any other choice, do I?
“Levi,” Fay warns.
“I won’t do anything,” I grumble, picking at my jeans.
Fay stands up, straightening her blouse. She says happily, “Great. Now, get up. We have a studio to tour.”
* * *
During the entire tour around the studio, Rowan, Axel, and I avoided Times Three like they had a disease. But the distaste seems mutual between both bands since they avoided us as well, making relief overcome every emotion within me when we didn’t cross paths once. But once that feeling vanished, I was left with stress.
And stress makes me crave stupid things.
When my hands start shaking slightly and my chest feels like it’s closing in and breathing becomes so much harder, I freak out. I don’t want to feel like this anymore. Even if I’m outside and the fresh breeze is hitting my face, I feel like the entire world is collapsing on me.
Old Levi would’ve left his five-year-old little sister at home with her babysitter to go have a drink. But I’m not that guy anymore. So, I head straight home instead of my usual destination—a bar.
“Stella,” I call out as my foot slams the door behind me.
Hearing little footsteps racing in my direction, I smile when she comes into my line of sight.
“Lee!” she screeches as she launches herself into my arms. “I missed you so much!”
Pulling her up and balancing her on my hip, I wrap my arms around her tiny frame. “How’s my princess doing? Did you have a good day?”
